Northampton coach Wayne Smith insists the outcome of Saturday's Powergen Cup semi-final with Newcastle at Franklin's Gardens is irrelevant to his club's rebuilding process.

The former All Black chief has flexed his muscle in the build-up to the game, axing international front-row duo Tom Smith and Steve Thompson following poor performances in the Saints' last league outing at Leicester.

Smith has swiftly halted the Northampton decline following their Heineken Cup triumph two years ago, and victory would put Saints in line for only the second trophy in their history.

But the stern Kiwi knows silverware may only paper over the cracks he has been brought in to plaster.

"Clearly we desperately want to beat Newcastle for the club and its supporters," said Smith, controversially axed as New Zealand coach last summer after failing to recapture the Tri-Nations crown.

"But the result is irrelevant to the long-term progression.

"I have just come out of five years working with the All Blacks. I knew all the players and what motivated them. I can't say the same thing here.

"I need to get into their minds and assess what they are capable of. I want to know who can dig that bit deeper when the going gets tough."

Smith's selection for such a key game proves he has not come to England for an easy ride, after spurning the chance of a return to his beloved Canterbury Crusaders having been ditched from the All Blacks in favour of John Mitchell.

He has already highlighted one major weakness in the English game, claiming the players he works with have all the skills and technical ability of their New Zealand counterparts but lack the composure to use them in pressure situations.

"They look good going through the drills, but it's not quite so good when you put defenders in front of them," he observed.

Now he must find a way of shutting down Newcastle stand-off Jonny Wilkinson, who is expected to come through a late fitness test for the cup holders and make a belated Franklin's Gardens debut.

"Jonny is one of the best stand-offs in the world," said Smith.

"He is an exceptional person with a great work ethic. He is always aiming for excellence, and you can't fault that kind of attitude.

"He didn't have the best of games for England against France, but we all have those days where we make a few errors. It doesn't mean we won't be wary of him."

Newcastle coach Rob Andrew does have a worry over full-back Dave Walder, whom he rates only 50-50.

Michael Stephenson is set to take over, with Liam Botham partnering veteran Samoan Va'aiga Tuigamala on the wing.

Andrew described Newcastle's 28-13 home defeat by Northampton in December as his club's "worst performance for three years".

Clearly he is hoping for a drastic improvement at a ground where the Falcons have failed to win since their 1998 championship year.

"We do not have a terrific record at Northampton," said Andrew, who booted 11 points in Newcastle's last triumph there.

"It is a very difficult place to win, although we have gone there with a weakened team on a couple of occasions. I suppose this one is different."